Rescuers fear for Australian climber stranded on NZ's Mount Aspiring

Rescuers hold grave concerns for an Australian climber stranded in freezing conditions on Mount Aspiring on New Zealand's South Island.

The New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre said the 29-year-old climber set off his beacon on Tuesday after attempting to climb the challenging 3033-metre peak.

Emergency personnel found most of his equipment, including his sleeping bag and cooking gear, at French Ridge hut on Tuesday afternoon before heavy weather prevented further rescue operations.

Rescuers spent Tuesday night at Aspiring hut and are now stationed at Aspiring and French Ridge huts, each about five kilometres of mountainous terrain from the Bonar Glacier where the beacon was activated.

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Vince Cholewa, a spokesman from the rescue coordination centre, said the climber's beacon was spotted moving a short distance to the north-east at 2.30pm (NZST) on Wednesday.

"The beacon can't move by itself so that's a good sign," he said.

However, the rescue effort has been hampered by rough weather, with rain about 6pm on Wednesday night and heavy snow at times on the mountain.

A view of Mount Aspiring's peak through the clouds on New Zealand's South Island.

A helicopter is on standby for a break in the weather, although MetService New Zealand has forecast bad weather for the region.

Mr Cholewa said it is possible that the helicopter's night vision equipment could be used on Wednesday night but it may be difficult to land in the dark. The helicopter has been positioned as close to the hiker as possible.

"We have a drop bag with food, equipment and clothing, so if they can get to him and can't land or winch down the alpine rescue team, they will drop the bag to the climber," he said.

The climber had been in the area since last Friday.

His friend contacted police when he failed to return home on Tuesday morning. The beacon was activated about 12.30pm.

Initial rescue operations were hampered by low cloud and strong winds. Mr Cholewa said there was fresh snow in the area and the climber spent Tuesday night with little equipment in sub-zero conditions.

It's standard practice for climbers to ditch heavier equipment so they can move faster when they scale Mt Aspiring's peak.

Mr Cholewa said the Australian man's climbing experience was unknown but he was well-equipped and seemed to have been simply caught out by the weather.

"It's not a walk, it's a climb," he said. "You need to be an experienced climber to do it."

Mr Cholewa was unable to confirm the Australian's identity, or which state he was from, but said his family had been notified.

A rescue spokesman told the Otago Daily Times the activated beacon had moved slowly throughout the afternoon, before settling at Quarterdeck Pass, about 2300 metres above sea level on the edge of the Bonar Glacier.

The helicopter would target that area on Wednesday afternoon if the weather cleared, he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the man's family.